The Philadelphia Eagles have punished DeSean Jackson. They're also keeping him on the team, conditionally. The club announced Friday it has fined the wide receiver "for conduct detrimental to the team," which included a series of controversial posts on Instagram and sharing an image of a quote falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler earlier this week. The Eagles' statement noted that Jackson, who has since offered multiple public apologies, "must also commit to supporting his words with actions" in order to remain with the Eagles. "We have had a number of constructive conversations over the last few days, not only with DeSean Jackson, but also with many other players, members of the organization, and leaders in the community," the statement said. "That has led us to the point where we and he are ready to take the next steps." On his Instagram feed Monday, Jackson posted an image from a book with the passage, "(white) Jews will blackmail America. (They) will extort America, their plan for world domination won't work if the Negroes know who they were." The veteran wide receiver also publicly endorsed a speech from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, in which he alleges that White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci and Microsoft founder Bill Gates were hoping to "depopulate the Earth" with a virus vaccine. The Eagles quickly deemed Jackson's messages "offensive, harmful, and absolutely appalling" while noting they would further evaluate the situation. Jackson subsequently deleted the posts and offered several apologies. The club said it has since come up with "a concrete plan" for how to move forward with Jackson but didn't specify what he must do to stay on the team. He shared a screenshot of a video meeting he had Friday with 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg, who'd written a letter to Jackson decrying his initial Instagram posts. "Thank you Mr. Mosberg for your valuable time and insight today," the caption to Jackson's latest post read. "I'm taking this time to continue with educating myself and bridging the gap between different cultures, communities & religions. LOVE 2 ALL!!!!! TO BE CONTINUED ....." The 33-year-old wideout missed all but three games last season because of injury after signing a three-year, $27 million contract to return to Philly in 2019. NFL.com
After months of no news on the contract talks for Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, there’s just a little news now. Jones and the Chiefs have begun talking about a long-term contract, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. But beginning to talk and actually reaching a long-term deal that’s agreeable for both parties are two different things, and with the July 15 deadline looming for franchise players to sign long-term contracts, it won’t be easy to get something done. If Jones doesn’t sign a long-term deal, he would only be able to play the 2020 season on the one-year, $16.126 million franchise player salary. But Jones has hinted that he might not play at all if he doesn’t get a long-term deal. Jones said he has discussed that with Le'Veon Bell, who sat out the entire 2018 season after the Steelers franchised him, then signed with the Jets in 2019. Both sides surely hope to get something done by July 15, but hoping they can get it done doesn’t mean they can come to an agreement on the money. NBC
NFL braces for a rash of positive COVID-19 tests when camp opens When players report for training camp, they’ll initially receive a COVID-19 test. The NFL is expecting a rash of positive results. “We absolutely expect that, and I think that’s just reflective of the fact that this disease remains endemic in our society,” NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills told Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. The goal will be catching those who test positive before they can enter the team facility, the locker room, the practice field, or a game. “You don’t want anyone who is infected to come into that team environment,” Dr. Sills told Volin. “That is an absolutely crucial screening for us to try to start off with a very healthy environment, and also make sure we can give the appropriate treatment and care for those individuals who may be affected and not be aware. But I think we all anticipate that there will be those cases, and we’ve been very clear of that throughout.” The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed that players who test positive but who are asymptomatic will be quarantined for at least five days and must generate two negative tests before returning. Symptomatic players must be quarantined for 10 days with two negative tests. For players who actually become ill, they may be off the field even longer than that after being cleared, given the potential impact of exercise on their recovery. So how many will be positive from the get go? With other sports generating a positive test rate in the range of 2-5 percent as players report for duty, and with (as Volin estimates) roughly 4,500 NFL players, coaches, and staff, that’s a range of 90 to 225 positives. The challenge will be to identify all of them and to keep them away from others, to prevent the kind of outbreak that would cause the Jenga tower to collapse upon removal of its first brick. NBC
I'm beginning to wonder if this season is even going to work. And if it does, can we finish it.. I know we all want to see this year happen. To me ?? It's looking kinda grim. Too many things can go wrong very fast.
But, the NFL always handles EVERYTHING well. They immediately made sure that no fans will be crowding the stands. ... Oh, they already reversed that decision, and left it entirely up to the teams? So they're taking the "USA" approach. That's worked very well, so far...
What the league needs to do is change their schedule. This bullshit they pulled was done to force them to play. Non conference games should be in the first 4 weeks followed by a week 5 that can be rescheduled for future bye weeks. It's irresponsible. Just like everything the league does.
Jeff Okudah agrees to rookie deal with Lions Cornerback Jeff Okudah was the third player selected in this year’s NFL draft, but he reached agreement on his first NFL contract earlier than the two players selected ahead of him in April. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Okudah has agreed to a deal with the Lions. It’s a four-year deal and the Lions will hold an option for a fifth season. Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the salary for that option will be guaranteed at the time of execution rather than at the start of the league year. Okudah is expected to take on a major role on the Detroit defense after starring at Ohio State. He had 34 tackles, three interceptions, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble during his final season with the Buckeyes. The Lions traded Darius Slay this offseason, which leaves Desmond Trufant, Justin Coleman and Darryl Roberts as the most experienced corners surrounding Okudah on the depth chart. NBC
But where does it stop ?? Pittsburg Potato's Seattle Seaweed Tampa Tofu Atlanta Peanuts Dallas Cow Dung Any other ideas that won't piss off the mob ?????
Eagles sign Jason Peters to replace Brandon Brooks Jason Peters is returning to Philadelphia. Peters, the 38-year-old offensive lineman who spent most of the last decade as the Eagles’ starting left tackle, is re-signing with Philadelphia, the team announced. But Peters will not be returning to his old position. Instead, Peters is expected to play right guard, filling in for Brandon Brooks, who will miss the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. According to NFL Network, Peters is getting a one-year contract with $3 million guaranteed and the opportunity to earn a total of up to $6 million. If Peters can fill in admirably for Brooks, it would go a long way toward getting the Eagles’ offense going in the right direction as they attempt to repeat as NFC East champions. Peters has been a big part of a lot of successful offenses in Philadelphia, and now he’ll try to keep it going from a new spot on the offensive line. NBC
Chris Jones’ deal with Chiefs is done Not long after a report that the Chiefs and Chris Jones were close on a four-year contract came another report that the deal is indeed done. Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that the sides have agreed to terms. The contract is worth $85 million, according to multiple reports, with $60 million guaranteed upon signing. It comes a day before the deadline for teams to sign players whom they franchised to long-term deals. Jones recently suggested he wouldn’t play without a long-term deal. Jones, 26, has 33 sacks and seven forced fumbles in four seasons in Kansas City. He made his first Pro Bowl in 2019. His signing completes a successful offseason for the defending Super Bowl champions, who were able to keep most of their roster intact and also signing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a long-term deal. NBC
Philadelphia’s “expectation” is that Eagles games won’t have fans The Eagles believed that Philadelphia’s ban of large public events and gatherings through February would not apply to them. The city believes it does. “We have been in communication with the Eagles. We have told them our expectations are that they don’t have fans,” Philadelphia Managing Director Brian Albernathy said Tuesday, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Eagles had interpreted media accounts preceding Tuesday’s announcement as meaning that it did not apply to stadiums like Lincoln Financial Field, even thought it is owned by the city. The Eagles will be permitted to play in Philadelphia, but without fans present. Abernathy added that he expects no issues, because NFL guidelines “remind teams that local authorities have the ability to ban fans.” NBC
Browns close to five-year extension with Myles Garrett The Browns have done a huge piece of business, signing defensive end Myles Garrett to mammoth contract extension. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Browns and Garrett are closing in on a five-year extension worth $125 million. A $25 million-a-year average would make him the highest-paid pass-rusher (and defensive player) in the league, surpassing the Khalil Mack deal. The Browns have made it clear that keeping the former No. 1 overall pick was a priority this offseason, with General Manager Andrew Berry calling him “a long-term member and pillar in our organization.” He had 10 sacks in 10 games last year, missing the final six after he clocked Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head with his helmet. NBC
Washington WR Kelvin Harmon tears ACL while training for camp Washington wide receiver Kelvin Harmon is on the mend. Sources tell NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport that Harmon suffered a torn ACL while preparing for training camp. The second-year WR will now have to wait until 2021 to follow-up on a solid rookie season. Harmon revealed Tuesday morning that he had surgery last week. Washington saw good production from its sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Harmon caught 30 passes for 365 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per reception. The rookie also managed to become reliable enough to start in eight games while appearing in all 16 for Washington. Harmon, 23, is part of a young, talented WR corps in Washington that features Terry McLaurin. Trey Quinn, Steven Sims Jr., Cam Sims and 2020 fourth-round selection Antonio Gandy-Golden are expected to compete for Harmon's starting spot. NFL.com
And we all know what's coming next. The Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves. And will that make them happy ?? Hell NO !!! The anti religion crowd will then go after the San Diego Padres and the New Orleans Saints.